NEW ORLEANS, La. — Qualcomm Inc., whose OmniTRACS satellite communications products helped change the way truckers and shippers do business, will broaden its focus and develop more land-based wireless data products for markets other than trucking.

” We have enjoyed success in the domestic truckload segment with the OmniTRACS system, and believe we can apply our core competencies and offer new, innovative wireless solutions to other businesses,” said Qualcomm senior vice-president Phil White. “We are no longer a one-product-line business group and we are broadening our direction.”

White made the announcement at the American Trucking Associations annual convention here yesterday.

As part of this strategy, Qualcomm has renamed its OmniTRACS division Qualcomm Wireless Business Solutions.

The company says it will continue to develop new products for the long-haul truckload industry, where Qualcomm’s OmniTRACS is the predominant satellite communications service. However, the company is expected to introduce new non-satellite-based communications products for the transportation industry, including one designed to track untethered trailers and another targeted at short-haul and pickup-and-delivery fleets.

Qualcomm is represented in Canada by Cancom Business Networks of Mississauga, Ont.